Hairpin



June 28, 1938.

Filed Sept. 15, 1957 J. B. MEHARG warm 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor W914 aw? Attorneys Patented June 28, 1938 warren: STATES nane .IPA-TENT orrics 3 Claims.

This invention relates to astructurally improved and distinguishably novel, hairpin, and

the fundamental purpose is to generally. im-

prove upon structurally similar clasps and pins (by utilizing a construction having appreciable features of newness such as coact with requisite perfection to provide-a device seemingly adequate and more aptly fitted for positive and reliable results.

;; Needless to say, I am not unmindfulof the condition that the art to which the invention relates is-thoroughly well developed and, for that reason, exemplary of many and varied forms and types of hairpins. Moreover, it is plain to be seen 5 .;that a multiple grip construction is. not broadly new. Notwithstanding this high state of development of the prior art, I have nevertheless designed and appropriately constructeda distinct contribution possessed of meritorious improven1ents fashioned in a one-piece wire formation.

Observing that the invention hereinafter described as exemplified in several varieties or forms, it is to be stated that in a structural generic sense I have evolved and produced a dual-style hairpin characterized by inner and outercompanion units, the outer unit constituting the clip or clasp and the inner unit ,coacting therewith in underlying superimposed relationship to provide requisite retention means for said clip, the two units having definite mar- 3 g'inal relationship to promote compactness and convenience as well as safety andreliability in avoiding accidental displacement.

Other features and advantages embraced in the individual embodiments will become more 3 readily apparent from the following description and accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein I use like reference characters to designate like parts in the views:

Figure l is what may be designated either as a top plan or an elevational view illustrating one embodiment of the invention with the clip closed at opposite ends and with the retention tongues or fingers in corrugated converging relationship.

Figure 2 is an edge view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view-showing a modification definitely similar to that illustrated'in Figures 1 and 2, the fingers being of slightly different and plain formation.

Figure 4 is an edge view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view basically the same as shown I in Figure 1, the clip being somewhat V-shaped,

in outline.

Figure 6 is an elevation. illustrating a further modification with the underlying retaining unit fashioned with entwined or twisted terminal portions.

Figure 7 is a view of an additional modification or form of the invention illustrating the same means.

.or bowed longitudinally as at the point I1, and.

basic principle, the clip being of U-shapedform and open at one end. x

As a matter of convenience of analytical de-.. scription, attention is first invited to that form-;

or modification of the invention depicted in Fig.-

ures 1 and 2. As before indicated, the entire hairpin is formed from a single length. of wire.

This is bent upon itself to provide what may be designated as an elongated loop member 8, thisforming the outer unit of the assembly and functioning as the clip or clasp. That is to say, it serves to clip and clasp the strands of hair into desired bunched formation. This clip may be said to be closed at its opposite transverse ends.

At the normal or natural upper end the bend 9 is 15 as;

somewhat V-shaped and is deflected laterallyl with respect to the spaced parallel limbs l0 and I l I. This lateral deflection is shown in Figure 2. At the end opposite to the deflected tip 9 the limbs or arms ii! and secting or curved or convolved formation, as distinguished at the points l2 and i3, respectively.

This intersecting formation provides the closed butt found handy in thrusting or pushing the.

pin into place when inserted in the hair.. The I rounded elements l2 and !3 provide a compara- 25 tively smooth thrust means for this purpose. Opposed to and underlying-the so-called outer clasp unit 8 is the companion or complemental unit 44 (see Figure 2) this forming the retention tionally termed retaining fingers. The intermediate portions are corrugated or formed with kinks as at l 6. The free terminal ends are flexed the curvature is such as to cause these to protrude between the limbs H) and H. Note-should be made of the fact that the curvature of the bent terminals II! is such as to eifectively coact with the lateral tip or bight portion 9. Then, too,

' one must observe that the converging kinked portion-s are confined 'within the limits of the limbs l0 and H, and that the major portions of the fingers l5 underlie the adjacent portions of :4;

said limbs. Furthermore, the longitudinally bowed terminals bends ll terminate within the surrounding clip 8 and terminate short of the sion. The kinks it areomitted and the 'converging portions are more acute, as indicated at the points 18. Otherwise, with the exception of the more rounded formation at the point 9, the construction is the same as already described. Hence, the same numerals are employed. so

Bl are bent into inter- The part M is actually made up of tWo 30 I spaced parallel reaches H: such as may be func- Coming now to the slight modification in Figure 5, this is primarily a matter of change in shape for ease of application and removal. That is to say, this particular form or style is substantially the same as that shown in the modifications in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The principal distinction here is that the clasp or clip unit 8 is substantially V-shaped. That is to say, the crotch portion or bight 9 is quite narrow and the limbs or arms It and H are disposed in converging relationship instead of in parallelism, as in Figures 1 and 3. Otherwise, the construction is the same as in Figure 1 and the same numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts.

Considering now the modification seen in Figure 6, it will be observed that a somewhat more distinct formation is here utilized. While the clip or clasp portion 8 is the same as already described, the underlying companion retention unit I4 is different to this extent: The fingers instead of being free are brought into converging relationship, as indicated at E9, where they are twisted together to form a convolved shank 28, said shank being disposed in a median position between the limbs l0 and II. Here, again, it will be observed that the terminal end portion 2! of the shank terminates at a point between the limbs and also terminates short of the primary bend or bight portion 9. One can visualize this particular embodiment of the invention as definitely made up of dual grips, that is, the outer gripping clip 8 and the underlying companion grip M. The grip M is in the nature of a secondary loop underlying a main loop 8, and said secondary loop I4 being shorter than the loop 8 and including a shank so that the combined length of the shank and secondary loop is less than that of the main outer clasp forming loop 8.

In the modification illustrated in Figure '7, a one-piece wire formation is utilized. Here I provide what is definitely a U-shaped hairpin 22 including spaced parallel limbs or arms 23 and 24. vThe connective or bight portion 25 is sufficiently rounded to facilitate insertion when brought into use. The free ends of the arms 23 and 24 are provided with return bends, as at 26, which define extension fingers 21. The fingers 21 substantially underlie the arms or limbs 23 and 24, and have their intermediate portions corrugated or crimped as at 28. Here, again, the terminals are formed into longitudinal bowed portions or bends ll of the type already described, occupying the same relationship to the limbs 23 and 24 and terminating short of the bend or bight portion 25. In the other forms of the invention the loop-like clasp 8 is closed at opposite ends. In this form it is of U-shaped configuration and thus open at one end. Whether open or not, one can readily appreciate the common characteristics found in the last named embodiment of the invention (Figure '7) as compared to the embodiments already described.

Of outstanding importance in this arrangement is the fact that the two complemental inner and outer parts 8 and M are disposed in such relationship that the outer part overlies the inner part, thus hiding the features of the inner part and preventing them from showing, when in the hair. This isbelieved to be a fulfillment of a long felt need in the construction of hairpins. The pin itself, as the complete structural assembly, is condered simple, well designed, easy to handle, and

exceptionally reliable. Notwithstanding the incorporation of these added refinements, the final structure is nevertheless quite as inexpensive as competitive pins previously patented and marketed. I shall not, however, attempt to point out any theoretical advantages, since the novelty is predicated primarily on the selection of structure and configurationv of the coacting structural details.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A multiple grip clasp-type hairpin of the class described formed from a single length of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a substantially U-shaped outer grip, the bight portion of said grip being laterally deflected with respect to the longitudinal axis of the parallel limbs, the free ends of the limbs being bent to provide return bends forming guard fingers, said guard fingers having their major portions underlying the limbs of the U-shaped grip, the free end portion of the fingers being directed toward each other to lie within the limits of the area encompassed by said limbs and terminating short of the laterally directed bight portion, the free ends being longitudinally bowed with the crown portion of the bows protruding through and beyond said limbs in directions at right angles to said limbs to occupy a plane outwardly of the limbs.

2. A multiple grip clasp-type hairpin of the class described formed from a single length of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a substantially U-shaped outer grip, the bight portion of said grip being laterally deflected with respect to the longitudinal axis of the parallel limbs, the free ends of the limbs being bent at right angles into intersecting relationship and turning into return bends forming guard fingers, said guard fingers having their major portions underlying the limbs of the U-shaped grip, the free end portions of the fingers being directed toward each other to lie within the limits of said limbs and terminating short of said laterally deflected bight portion.

3. A multiple grip clasp-type hairpin of the class described formed from a single length of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a substantially U-shaped outer grip, the bight portion of said grip being laterally deflected with respect to the longitudinal axis of the parallel limbs, the free ends of the limbs being bent at right angles into intersecting relationship and turning into return bends forming guard fingers, said guard fingers having their major portions underlying the limbs of the U-shaped grip, the free end portions of the fingers being directed toward each other to lie within the limits of said limbs and terminating short of the laterally deflected bight portion, said free ends being longitudinally bowed with the crown portion of the bows projecting through and beyond said limbs to occupy a plane outwardly of the limbs.

JIM B. MEHARG. 

